Washing, Drying & Care Instructions

Machine Washing

Washing your down-filled bodycoat in a washing machine generally won’t damage the filling as long as it’s done properly. Only wash your bodycoat as needed — no more than twice a year — to prevent the feathers from breaking. Before washing your jacket, zip the zippers and secure any snaps or buttons. Turn the jacket inside out and put it in a front-loading washing machine.

Wash the jacket in cold water on the gentle cycle with a small amount of gentle laundry detergent. Do NOT use a high spin cycle, as it will damage your bodycoat. Run the jacket through three rinse cycles altogether to ensure no soap residue is left in the down. For added protection, use a special soap made specifically for washing down-filled items.

Hand Washing

If you prefer to hand wash your bodycoat, soak the garment for up to 60 minutes in a sink, and following the instructions on your down-friendly detergent. Rinse by lightly squeezing out excess water — don’t wring it — and follow the drying steps below.

Drying

If down filling doesn’t dry completely, it may begin to clump or even produce a foul odor. Once the wash is complete, carefully remove your bodycoat and lay it flat to dry on a clothing rack. As you do this, gently fluff it up the down.

Your bodycoat will take between 12 to 24 hours to drip dry depending on the humidity and temperature in the room. As it dries, keep giving the bodycoat the occasional fluff, particularly around any wet clumps of down.

When the jacket is almost dry, place it in a tumble dryer to dry completely. Set the heat on the dryer to low and place three clean tennis balls — or dryer balls —inside with the jacket. The balls will help to redistribute the filling and prevent clumping. Also, add a couple of dry bath towels to the dryer to help absorb moisture during the drying process.

Run the bodycoat through a complete dry cycle on low heat. Take it out of the dryer and shake it out gently to move the filling around. Put the jacket back in the dryer and run it through at least one more dry cycle to ensure the filling is completely dry. Depending on the size of your bodycoat, several drying cycles may be necessary to completely dry the down filling. Remove the jacket and shake it out after each drying cycle to keep the filling from clumping.

Other Considerations

Avoid washing your down jacket in a top-loading washing machine with an agitator. The agitator bar in the washer can easily cause damage. Instead, always use a front-loader, which doesn’t have an agitator, to protect the coat. Inspect your bodycoat thoroughly before placing it in the washer.

Take your jacket to a professional for cleaning if the exterior fabric is old, weak or deteriorated; otherwise, it may become damaged during the wash cycle. If you notice an odor coming from your bodycoat after washing, don’t worry. This is typical with down filling when it becomes wet. Once the jacket is completely dry, the smell should disappear.

Things to Avoid

• Fabric softener. Stick to a down-specific detergent for the best results.
• Dry Cleaning Solvents. These can damage materials.
• Top Loading Washers With Agitators. Check the owner’s manual of your machine for specifications of approval for down.
• The Spin Cycle. Down is heavy when it’s wet, and high spin can damage the feathers.
• Wringing. Don’t wring your bodycoat, no matter how heavy it is. If you must, gently shake any excess water off while supporting the weight.
• Using or Storing While Wet. Do not wear or store your bodycoat while it is wet. Otherwise you’ll both be wet and smelly.

For more information about bodycoat washing and care instructions, please contact us here.